Suspect arrested in actor beating in Silver Spring

Friends surround Frank Britton, a local actor who was beaten and robbed in Silver Spring. (Courtesy Facebook)

WASHINGTON — Police have arrested a teenager in connection with the violent mugging of a local actor early Tuesday morning.

According to a release by the Montgomery County Police Department, detectives arrested Elijah Jeremiah Smith, 18, of Washington, D.C., on charges of assault and robbery in downtown Silver Spring, Md. A search warrant had been conducted at the suspect’s residence, and “items of evidence related to the assault and robbery were recovered.”

A photo of the suspect is not available at this time.

Meanwhile, victim Frank Britton suffered a shattered bone on the side of his face, requiring immediately surgery this week. The attack also resulted in a contusion on the back of his head and swelling to an eye.

Britton is a local stage actor, and after performing in the Forum Theater’s opening night of “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot,” he and the cast went out to celebrate on Colesville Road Silver Spring.

About 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, four men attacked and robbed him by a taxi stand close to the Silver Spring Metro station. They took his iPhone, iPad and wallet.

Friends and family established a GoFundMe account to help cover his medical bills. In the first day, the account showed more than $40,000.